
Glass. 



Eli4 



Rnnk Pl4'S\./'7 



Congressional Career 



—OF THE— 




(PHOTOGRAPDED BY' TAKER.) 



HoN.H. F.PAGE 



A SKETCH. 



4 



SAN FRANCISCO: 
Fraucis, Valentine & Co., Trinters, Designers and Engravers, 517 Clay St. 

1880. 



CONGRESSIONAL CAREER 



OF THE ^^^ 



HON. H: F. PAGE," 



REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 



SECOND DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 



RE-NOMINATED FOR A FIFTH TERM. 



JL SKZETCKC. 



BY 



C. C. WILLIAMS, 



SAN FRANCISCO : 
FliANcns, Valektine & Co., Printers, 517 Clay Strekt. 

1880. 






^ 6" 






CONGRESSIONAL CAKEEE OP H. P. PAGE. 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY LIFE. 

Horace Francis Page was born in Orleans county, New 
York, October 20th, 1833. His ancestors for generations back 
have been reckoned anaonsf the steady and industrious tillers 
of the soil in the Empire State. Brought up with Puritanic 
]-igor, his early education was of the most practical nature, and 
principally acquired at the neighboring country school. The 
spirit of the coming man was foresliadowed in the boy, A will- 
ingness to defend his opinions, and an unflinching allegiance to 
what he considered right, were characteristics of his earliest 
childhood. The death of his mother, when he was quite j-oung, 
left liis training in the hands of an affectionate, yet strict and 
careful, father who impressed upon his 3'oung mind lessons of 
industry and uprightness, which have marked his after life. 
His boyhood was spent in the fields and on the hills of inspiring 
scenery. The old homestead, the property of the family for 
generations, is described as situated in one of the pleasantest 
spots in western New York, fruitful and picturesque. The 
scenes familiar to his boyish imagination lett their cherished 
imprint upon his memory. Of his father, who is still alive, he 
always speaks in the most endearing terms, and never tails to 
visit him after each session of Congress. These short vacations, 
after his arduous and contining labors during the session, are 
refreshing rests. He enjoys the simplicity of country life. 
Being early taught self-reliance, which, coupled with the natu- 
ral energ\*of his character, led him, like many anotheryonng 
man, to the Golden (State ; expecting and realizing in it a wider 
field of activity than his native State offered him. 

Mr. Page arrived in California at the age of twenty, and af- 
ter a very successlul venture in operating a saw-naill near Col- 
fax, and an after experience in mining, he moved to Placerville, 
there, in time, building up a large livery-stable. To further 
extend his business, he bought and built a net-work of stage 
lines, connectiniT the principal towns of El Dorado, Placer and 
Sacramento counties. He was always an enterprising and suc- 
cessful business man, which, in connection with his integrity 
and fidelity to public trusts, explain, in part, his wonderful suc- 
cess! as a public servant. After a few years' residence in Pla- 
cerville, he married Miss Jane Watters, an accomplished lady 
and worthy helpmate, whose affability causes her society to be 



courted in Washington, where she so truly represents the sin- 
cerity and courage of California women. Mr. Page was led to 
take a lively interest in politics by his enthusiastic and ardent 
temperament, keenly alive to deficiencies in public officers and 
his quick eye to detect irreguliirities. He would make no 
compromises with opposing parties, and was always a straight 
Republican of the strictest principles. His activity in politics 
consisted in faithful work tor his party ; and his efficient meas- 
ures bespoke the wonderful managing power which has distin- 
guished his Congressional career. , Being nominated for the 
(State Senate, he was drawn further into political strife. Al- 
though the defeat of any KepubHcan was a foregone conclu- 
sion, he was selected as the strongest candidate to oppose the 
overpowering majority. Demagogism was the furtherest 
from his nature ; and that he vvas never considered an office 
seeker, his tirst nomination for Congress amply illustrates. 

NOMINATED FOR CONGRESS. 

Mr. Pao-e's intimate friends saw and understood his worth, 
and by much urging obtained his consent to become a candi- 
date for Congress. His ability and energy were Httle known 
outside of his county, atid to go betore a convention with 
such names as Judge Porter, Judge Cavis, and Judge Tuttle, 
contesting for a nomination- seemed almost a hopeless adven- 
ture ; but it was done, and he was the choice of the conven- 
tion. His nomination was a surprise to the most iniluential 
newspaper in the district, The Sacramento Daily Union, which 
had supposed the nomination of its candidate, Judge Porter, 
assured. The Democrats and Independents, the latter an otf- 
shoot, mainly from the Republican party, backed by the 
Daily Union, united upon a candidate against Mr. Page, with 
full confidence and a determination worthy of a better cause, 
to defeat him. A most vindictive and bitter crusade was 
waged by these two parties. An eftbrt was made ♦) make him 
unpopular, by forcing liim to answer several questions. His 
prompt and decisive replies made for him many votes. At a 
joint-discussion between Mr. Page and Mr. Coggins, his oppo- 
nent, at Grass Valley, October 25th, 1872, the following-ques- 
tions were asked by Mr. Coggins, and answered by Mr. Page : 

HOW HE KEEPS PLEDGES. 

Ques. 1 — Will you vote for a law requiring the Central Pacific 
Railroad Company and the Union Pacific Railroad Company to pay 
the interest on their Government bonds ? 

Ans. — I will vote for any law that compels the Railroad Company 
to fulfill the obligations they are under to the Government of the 
United States. 

In Congress, Mr. Page voted to instruct the United States 



Attorney General to commence suit to recover the five per 
cent., due from those companies. 

Qu6s. 2 — Will you vote for a law reducing the rates of fare and 
freight on the Union Pacific and Central Pacific roads under the 
reserved authority of Congress for enforcing such redaction ? 

Ans. — If there is such reserved authority, and it can be done 
under the law of Congress, I will vote for such a law willingly and 
gladly. 

Ques. 3 — Will you vote for a law inflicting heavy penalties on 
the above-named Railroad Companies for discriminating against one 
shipper and in favor of another, and against one locality and in 
favor of another in the transmission of freight ? 

Ans. — I am opposed to any Railroad Company or any persons hav- 
ing the carrying trade or the control of it, discriminating in favor 
of individuals or localities. Could any law be framed by Congress 
to compel them to make their rates ot freights and fares uniform, I 
should consider it my duty as a representative of the people to vote 
for such a law. 

Mr. Page voted for the McOrary bill, which covers all the 
points in questions 2 and 3, a reduction of fares and freights, 
no discrimination between localities, and heavy penalty for a. 
violation of the law. 

Ques. 4 — Will you vote for a subsidy of Government lands for 
the construction of a railroad to connect Placerville with Shingle 
Springs ? 

Ans. — Now, wait, I will tell yoy ttie reason why. I own a 
stage line from Placerville to Shingle Springs, and if such a road 
is built it will shut off my stage line. Tlie building of the road will 
cost me from $7,000 to $10,000, and I do not want the railroad. 
But the people of ElDorado county desire the railroad, and I witli 
others subscribed money to aid in the construction of the road. I 
interposed no objection, but signed a petition asking the time to be 
extended to the 1st of January, 1878, and then the resolution goes 
into effect to ask Congress to restore the lands to the Government 
of the United States. 

Instead c4' voting a subsidy, Mr. Page introduced and se- 
cured the passage of a bill to forfeit to the Government all the 
land previously' granted to this road, which the Sacrdmento 
'Union — Mr. Coggins' mouth-piece at that time — of Oct. 25th, 
1872, said was not worth less than $3,200,000, and which, say 
they, Stanford & Co. would get for an outla}' of less than §(375,- 
000, the cost of building fifteen miles of road, from tJhingle 
Springs to Placerville. 

Ques. 5 — Will you vote for the bill known as Sargent's timber 
bill or any other containing similar provisions ? 

Ans — I have not examined Sargent's timber bill, but I will 
vote for a law for the sale of the tiaiber lands. As I said before, 
I am in favor of selling the tiinber lands and opposed to allow- 
ing them to remain as they are, because I believe that every man 



6 

that desires to cut a stick of timber on the public lands should not 
be deemed a tre.s.spasser, but should be permitted to obtain title 
to a portion of the timber lands. 

Mr. Page introduced and secured its passage through the 
House, of a timber bill, which had it become a law would 
have given general satisfaction to the people interested in the 
manufacture of lumber, and would have added greatly to the 
prosperity of the State. 

In the'E'orty-tifth Congress, he succeeded in having passed 
^ bill that covered all the points of the Sargent's timber bill, 
thus fulfilling this pledge. On the 9th of May, 1878, Mr. Page 
said, in a speech, on this bill: 

<< It is well understood by the House, that some law must be 
passed to relieve the people of the Territories of the United States 
from the operations of the Act of 1831, which makes it a misde- 
meanor for any person to tresspass upon the public land of the 
United States. Legislation is recommended by the Conmiis- 
sionerof the General Land Office and by the Secretary of the In- 
terior, and it is demanded by the people that Congress should pass 
some law, by which they shall have the right to obtain some timber 
from the public lands." 

ELECTED. 

The campaign was a trying ordeal for Mr. Page. Unused 
to the vitnpeiation of opposing newspapers and the abuse so 
freely heaped upon a candidate, his patience was sorely tested, 
especially by groundless accusations made by the revengeful 
Uimn vvhich" let loose its war dogs. They were squarely 
met and driven from the field. He stood the campaign to 
the entire satisfaction of his party, and proved the correctness 
of his friends' opinion of him. their faith was justified by a 
decisive victory. (See appendix). 



CHAPTER H. ♦ 

FIRST TERM IN CONCJRESS. 

A new member enters Congress with something of the 
feeling that possesses the incoming freshman at college. 
Elated by his election and disirous of making his mark, he is 
confident of being able to accomplish almost anything. The 
native modesty of Mr. Page freed him from this boastful spirit, 
and made him a practical working member trom the first. He 
had been elevated from a seat on a stage coach to a seat in 
Congress, proving himself an honor to both positions. When 
we consider that he began in Cor'gress without any previous 
training in legislative halls, not having come up from the State 
Senate'or Assembly, what he accomplished in his first term 



receives additional luster. It was said at the close of his first 
term in the House of Representatives, that his success in 
introducino; and having passed wholesome laws which were of 
lasting benefit to the people had been equaled by no member 
of Congress, young or old, before elected from this State. He 
was appointed on two important standing committees of the 
House, Post Ofiice and Post Roads and Mines and Mining, for 
each of which he was eminently fitted. During his first term, 
he introduced forty bills and eight resolution. Of the former 
twelve passed the House and ten became laws; many of the 
others failing in the Senate. A brief review of some of the 
most important bills introduced, and measures advocated by 
Mr. Page, shows him to have been an active and influential 
member who did honor to his district; who saved his State 
hundreds of thousands of dollars and the nation millions of 
dollars. 

THREE MILLIONS SAVED. 

Mr. Page, at an early day of the first session, introduced a 
bill to pre'vent what is called " straw bail," given by bidders 
who seek to obtain contracts for the carrying of the U. S. 
mails. The bill was referred to the Committee on Post Offices 
and Post Roads, of which he was a member. For a time it 
appeared that the bill had found its last sleej^in the hands of 
the Committee, for the mail contractor's ring was opposed to 
its passage, and used every strategy to prevent a favorable 
report by the Committee. Four of the eleven members of 
the Committee were in sympathy with Mr. Page, and urged 
a report; many of the others sympathized with the ring. The 
bill lay in the hands of the Committee more than three 
months, before it could be brought to a hearing, and when 
finally reported, two of the most important sections were re- 
jected. After an unsuccessful attempt to restore those two 
sections, Mr. P^ge allowed it to pass the House without 
them, but followed it to the Senate, where he posted his 
friends who were favorable to the original bill ; had the re- 
jected sections restored and the bill passed by the Senate and 
sent back to the House, which dissented from the Senate 
amendment. A committee of conference was appointed by 
the two Houses, which finally recommended the passage ot the 
bill as it came from the Senate; and after a continued op- 
position for more than four months, Mr. Page had the pleasure 
of seeing the work of his own mind and hands become a law, 
to the great chagrin of those who had opposed the passage of 
the bill. Postmaster-General Jewell published a statement 
showing that this law saved the Government, as compared 
with the previous four years, expenditures of over $3,000,000, 
with an increase of over 5,000 miles of mail service, in the 



8 

three Pacific States and eie;ht Territories. [^Covq. Globe, 1st 
session 43(1 Con^., pages 2080, 3049, 3050, 3051, also P. M. 
General's report 1875] 

Mr. Page introduced a successful bill postponing the election 
of representatives to Congress from this Sfate, from a special 
to the general election, which saved the people of this State 
more than $200,000, as shown by a resolution of the State 
Legislature. \ Congressional Globe, 1st session 43d Congress, 
page 4278.] 

RAILROAD ANTAGONISM. 

A bill to forfeit to the United States the land granted to the 
Placerville and Folsom Railroad Company was one of the first 
bills introduced by Mr. Page. The bill was referred to the 
Committee on Public Lands, who examined it carefully, re- 
ported it back to the House and recommended that it pass. 
On motion of Mr. Page, after much skirmishing among mem- 
bers of the House, in which Mr. Page had to measure swords 
with Congressman B. F. Butler, the champion of railroad sub- 
sidy in the House, the rules were suspended and the bill 
passed. It subsequently passed the Senate and was signed by 
the President. ^Cong. Globe, 43d Congress, 1st session, pages 
373, 930, 2921, 3206.] Also a bill to forfeit lands which had 
been granted to the Stockton and Copperopolis Railroad, 
This bill took the same course as the one above, and was 
signed by the President on the 15th day of June, 1874. 
[Gong. Globe, 1st session 43d Congress, pp. 1526, 3708, 4596.] 

These bills were followed by a resolution looking to the 
forfeiture of the lands granted to the Atlantic and Pacific 
railroad, which, if such legislation had been obtained, would 
have restored millions of acres of fertile lauds, withheld from 
pre-emption and homestead settlement, by, a bankrupt and 
and apparently defunct railroad company. It was not the 
fault of Mr. Page that this bill did not become a law. [Cong. 
Globe, 1st session 43d Cong., page 766.] 

We find him opposing the extension ot the I^oi-thern Pacific 
i^nd the Texas Pacific railroad land grants; and in fact against 
all subsidy schemes brought before the 43d Congress, just as 
he told the people he would do, before he was elected. ^ On an 
examination of the Congressional records we find his vote 
recorded in favor of instructing the U. S. Attorney General to 
commence suit against the Union Pacific and the Central 
Pacific Railroad Company to collect five per cent, net profits 
after the completion of that road; also voting to compel 
railroads which have subsidy granted in lands, to take out 
patents, that such lands may be subjected to State taxation. 

lie voted for a bill to regulate inter-state commerce, known 
as the McCrary bill, introduced by G. AV. McCrary, a Repre- 



sentative tVom Iowa, The bill provided, among otlier things, 
that persons engaged in this commerce (raih-oads) should be 
prohibited from making iinreaf-onable or extortionate charges ; 
and that they should be piohibited from unjust discrimination 
in the niatter of charges. This bill provided for the appoint- 
ment of Commissi||ners who were given power to establish the 
rate of fares and freights — a measure recently adopted in this 
State by the new Constitution. Heavy p'enalties were provided 
for a violation of the law, the burden of proof resting on the 
company to show that their charges were not unreasonable. 

In the Forty-fifth Congress, Mr. Page ably seconded Con- 
gressman Reagan in support of his railroad bill, whose objects 
were conscisely stated as follows: 

1st. It provides that freight rates and facilities shall be made 
equal to all shippers. 

2d, To this end it provides that rebates and drawbacks shall not 
be allowed in any case. 

3d. It provides that the gross amount of charges shall not be 
fjreater for a shorter than for a longer distance, on the same line of 
transportation, 

4th. It provides against combinations by individuals or companies 
to defeat the objects of this bill. 

5th. It requires schedules of the rates of freight and charges to 
be posted up, so that all shippers may know the rates they are re. 
quired to pay. 

6th, Where rates are fixed for local commerce within a Slate, 
the State rates are required to be posted up, and the transportation 
companies are forbidden to charge more per ton, per mile, for inter- 
State freight than they charge for^tate ffeight. 

7th. Provisions are made in this bill for its efficient enforcement 
in the Courts. 

8th. It specifies severe penalties for violation of the act, and des. 
ignates the procedure for recovery of damage. 

9th. It provides that |^the bill shall not apply to quantities of 
merchandise less than a car. load, when carried by railroad,, or less 
than a ton, when carried by other means of conveyance ; that Gov- 
ernment freight may be earned for less rates than are accorded to 
the general public, and that this bill should not refer to merchan- 
dise carried for charitable purposes. 

SETTLERS ON RAILROAD LAND, 

In furtherance of justice to the settlers on railroad lands — 
which had been restored to the Government — who had paid 
$2.50 per acre, Mr. Page introduced the following bill, which 
became a law on the 3d day of March, 1875 : 

" That where any actual settler who siiall have paid for any land 
situated within the limit of any grant of lands by Congress to aid 
in the construction of any railroad, the price of such land being 
fixed by law at double-nainimum rates, and such lands having been 
forfeited to the United States for failure to build such railroad, such 



10 

person or persons shall have the right to locate, on any unoccupied 
lands, an awount equal to the original entry, without further cost, 
except such fees as are now provided by hiw in pre-emption cases ; 
provided, thai where such location is upon double-minimum lands, 
one. half the amount only shall be taken." 

This bill is of i^reat benefit to those who had in orood faitb 
paid a double price for their hinds. This was the last bill 
signed by the President, and that only four minutes before the 
gavel fell and the 43d Congress adjourned sine die. To the 
energ}' and watchfulness of Mr. Page alone are the settlers on 
forfeited railroad lands indebted for this law, which now gives 
tliem two acres for one. 

On the Salary bill, we find Mr. Page's vote in accordance 
with all his actions while in Congress, and in accord witb the 
views he enunciated while before the people for their suffrages. 
He voted on every occasion to reduce the pay of members of 
Congress, and that to his own detriment of niore than $3,000. 
This amount would have been legally due him, for bis salary 
had been establis.hed by a prior Congress, yet we find liini 
voting to reduce the salary from $7,500 to 1^5,000 per annum, 
which became a law while he had fifteen months- to serve. 
Again, we find him in favor of abolishing the mileage paid to 
members of Congress, and when he found that bill could not 
pass, he voted' to reduce such mileage to actual traveling ex- 
penses, tliis time to his own detriment of more than $800 each 
session. [Cong. Globe, 1st session 43d Cong., pages 283, 3093.] 

FIRST ANTI-CHINESE RESOLUTION. 

Ever mindful of the Asiatic curse resting upon Cali- 
fornia, at the first opport\]nity and within a few weeks after his 
arrival in Washington, Mr. Page introduced the following res- 
olution, which laid the foundation for the Coolie bill and was 
the first decisive move in Congress to bring this evil to the at- 
tention of the wiiole nation : 

Resolved, That the Committee on Foreign Affairs he, and is 
hereby instructed to report to this House at tlie earliest practical 
moment, if expedient, a concurrent resolution advising an opening 
of negotiations by the President of the United States with the Em- 
peror of China, witfi a view to such modihcation of Articles oth and 
6th of the existing treaty between tlie two nations as to check or 
altogether prevent Chinese in.migration to tlie United States. 

Mr. Page discovered that the revised statutes of the IT. S. al- 
lowed Chinese to become citizens, by naturalization, the same 
as immigrants from Europe. This error was corrected through 
liis exertions, and Coolies are now prohibited from becoming 
citizens and voters. 

RE-ELECTED. 

The Congressional Record shows that ]Mr. Page never 



11 

absented himself from the House while it was in session, on 
leave of absence or otherwise. He always voted when the yeas 
and nays were called on every important bill. He did not 
dodge votes, but worked with indefatigable will and prepared 
himself to vote intelligently and conscientiously ; therefore his 
mistakes were few, all of judgment and not of will. His con- 
stituents were niQ|pe than satisfied with his course in Congress ; 
and the Republican party re-nominated him by a unanimous 
voice and re-elected him by an increased majority. 



CHAPTER m. 



UNION SPEECH. 



Mr. Page's second term in Congress was distinguished by 
increased activity. During the previous term he had gained 
a thorough knowledge of parliamentary law. and a familiarity 
with the business of the House. He widened his field of oper- 
ations and is found taking part in discussions on a great variety 
of subjects. He had gained a reputation as a keen observer, 
wbo let nothing pass unobserved, yet one who never wasted 
time with trivial objections. Being a man of deeds rather than 
words, he always commanded the attention of the House when 
he rose to speak. Perhaps his greatest eflbrt during this term 
was a speech delivered when the House was in a committee of 
the whole on the state of the Union, in July, 1876. The 
Democrats, it will be remembered, were dillydallying for po- 
litical purposes. Mr. Page arraigned the Democratic party, 
in the most forcible language, before the bar of public opinion, 
and charged that party with blocking the wheels of govern- 
ment. In this, speech he made use of the following words : 

«' Leading gentlemen upon the other side, audaciously scouting 
the idea that this is a nation, find an eager following in the carry- 
ing out of a preconcerted plan to abolish the Republican parly in 
the North as effectually as the white league does its work in abol- 
ishing negro suffrage at the South. Democratic orators, who to gain 
place and power, are only too eager to join hands with our deluded 
Southern brethren to block the wheels of legislation, by preposter- 
ous and worse than senseUiss, aye, ignominious effect at bringmg 
every department of the public service to a standstill upon the very 
verge of bankruptcy." 

To the Democratic cry of reform he said : 

<'Theycla(m to be reformers. They are men who took the 
back pay in the Forty-second Congress. Their chairman of the 
Appropriation Committee, who is now so clamorous for the reduc- 
tion of salaries of members of this House and the poorly-paid labor- 
ing man cf the government, was a member of that Congress, who 



12 

not only voted for and took his l)ack pay, but here on this floor de- 
clared, not three years ago, that the pay of members of this House 
shonhl be not less than ten thousand dollars per annum. The 
Speaker of this House was a member of the Thirty-ninth Congress 
who voted for and took back pay, and kept it." 

In answer to their boasted, retrenchment, Mr. Page showed, 
by statistics, that they had not reduced taxatron a dolhir; that 
the burden of taxation rested as heavily' npotrthe people as 
before; and the Democrats, he declared, had never ofiered 
nor sought any legislation to relieve the people. 

UNION SOLDIERS. 

Speaking of the wholesale discharge of crippled Union sol-- 
diers employed in and about the National Capitol and supply- 
ing their places with Confederate soldiers, Mr. Page, said : 

«< The gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Fort] oflfered a resolution, in 
substance, that the House should retain in its service as door-keep- 
ers, messengers, eto., such Union soliliers as had lost a limb in their 
country's service ; and when I met the scores of these one legged 
and one-armed soldiers of the Union hobbling out of the Capitol and 
moving down Pennsylvania avenue, and I saw their places sup- 
plied by Confederate soldiers, among them one wlio had stood 
guard at the death-line at Andersonville, and shot down without 
mercy the brave but emaciated and starving soldiers of the Repub- 
lic ; when I remembered that all the Democrats on this floor voted 
against this humane resolution, retaining these patriotic soldiers in 
their places, I felt as though all their profession of loyalty were 
hollow and empty pretences." 

Mr. Page closed this effective speech by giving a list of 
over a hundred and forty Southern claims which the loyal peo- 
ple of the country were asked to pay. • 

While the election was pending in California the preceding 
year, Mr. Page was attacked by every Democratic newspaper 
and every Democratic stump orator in his district, for having 
voted in favor of the bill equalizing the bounty of soldiers who 
served during the late war for the Union. ^Yhen the same 
subject came up in the Forty-fourth Congress, having been de- 
feated in the previous session, the Democrats saw the impoli- 
tic if not tlie inhumanity, of their treatment of the soldiers, 
and voted for its adoption, as did Mr. Page on botli occasions. 
He, thorefere, had the satisfaction of seeing his course vindi- 
cated by his oiiponents, and was glad that the Democratic side 
of the House would at last unite with the Republicans in car- 
rying the bill, thus doing justice to the soldiers who fought so 
gallantly in defence of our country. 

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC LAND. 

A bill over which Mr. Page spent much time and labor, 
was to limit the extent of land that can be included within the 



13 

limits ol an incorporated town, or selected as the site of a city 
or town. The bill was framed to correct abuses in Utah, 
where cities were incorporated with an area of from twenty to 
forty square miles, thus holding valuable land in large quanti- 
ties from pre-emption and homestead. Over seven hundred 
and fifty square miles of land were held in the Territory ot 
Utah in this manner. The bill passed the House and Senate, 
was signed by the President, becoming a Law the 3d of March, 
1877, the last day of Gen. Grant's second term. 

INDIANS. 

On Indian affairs Mr. Page voted against the proposition to 
transfer the ofHce of Indian affairs from the Interior Depart- 
ment to the War Department, and was a co-worker with Gen. 
Garfield in its defeat. Mr. Page had a spirited controversy 
with several members of the House; Congressman Kasson, of 
Iowa, more particularly, over the bill to open to exploration and 
settlement that portion'of the country north of the North 
Platte River and east of the summit of the Big Horn Moun- 
tain, in the Territory of Wyoming, known as the Black Hills 
region. Mr. Page maintained that the true intent of the treaty 
of April 29th, 1868, with the Sioux Indians was not to prevent 
the white men from traveling over, exploring or settling upon 
any portion of the Territory of Wyoming, not included within 
the boundaries of the permanent reservation established by the 
treaty. Events have since conclusively shown that had this 
policy been pursued, much of the Indian troubles in that local- 
ity would have been avoided. 

IN DEFENCE OF CALIFORNIA. 

Jealous at all times of the good name of California, Mr. 
Page has more than once been called upon to defend her from 
vandal attacks. In February, 1876, Congressman Keeley, of 
Pennsylvania, made a comparison between California and East- 
ern States, to the disparagement of this State, which brought 
Mr. Page to his feet, exclaiming : 

" Sir, all other things being equal, the development of the East- 
ern States before that of California is according to the regular and 
established order of things. The star of empire in its westward 
way lights up the whole track. It leaves no dark spot beliind ; 
even the arid desert and rugged mountains kindle under its beams. 
Those States nearest the centre of population are tirst developed, 
while those less accessible have to wait for the coining of the tide." 

In this speech he displayed a knowledge of his State, in its 
various resources and products, its condition, growth and his- 
tory, which showed an astonishing familiarity with his constit- 
uents and their wants. They realized his worth and again re- 
elected him to Congress by an overwhelming majority. 



14 
CHAPTER IV. 

ANTI-CHINESE RECORD. 

To gain restrictive legislation against Chinese immigfation 
has been Mr. Page's constant effort ever since his election to 
Congress. From the time he first entered Congress when 
there were not a dozen members in accord with him, until the 
present time, he Kas labored with unequaled zeal ; urging the 
imi:)ortance of this subject upon the attention of Congress. 
There has hardly been a session of Congress since his election, 
that ho has not introduced an anti-Chinese resohition or bill. 
At first they did not succeed ; he realized that Eastern 
members needed honest information on the subject, and made 
it a personal matter with such members, persuading and con- 
vincing them of the evil of Chinese immigration, as 
Congressman Hazelton, of VVisconsin, in his speech delivered 
at 8an Francisco a year since, gave ample proof, declaring 
publicly that he and several other Congressmen to his knowl- 
edge were converts of Mr. Page's. After introducing 
resolutions, repeatedly to no purpose, because they had to be 
modified to suit Eastern philanthropic notions, he realized 
that he must be patient while public sentiment was growing 
in the East. Ho was, however, so thoroughly imbued with 
the importance of restrictive legislation on Chinese im- 
migration to Californians, irrespective of party, condition or 
rank, that it was ever present in his mind. Without losing 
courage, against the most appalling opposition, he labored 
building np public opinion, and succeeded in haviui; the Chinese 
excluded from the privilege of naturalization. Facing iiis op- 
ponents with patient yet determined countenance his earnest- 
ness won attention. It began to be thought, after his sincere 
and dispassionate appeal for relief in 1875, that the subject of 
Chinese immigration must be of weighty importance to so 
thoroughly eidist the services of the able California Ctuigress 
man. "On' the 10th of February of the above year, Mr. Page 
presented an anti-Chinese pctitiim from the laborers of 
California, and urged that it be headed in the following 
forcible language : 

ANTl-CriINESl5 SPEKCH. 

'• I am aware that the sentiment of the country, attracted by the 
tinsel and ji^litter of wealth, is fast K^wing inimical to the laboring 
classes. That sentiment is fed and inflamed here. Enormous sub- 
sidies are granted. Great corporations, monstrous moneyed mono, 
polies, are built up, which are utterly absorbed in the desire for 
j;:aln. The power already envelopes the land. Their minions 
swarm everywhere. They knock and clamor at the doors of the 
Capitol, impeding and perverting the legislation of the country. 



15 

And amid their confusion the peaceful, patient, and earnest de' 
Tuands of free labor, like the voices of the night, grow fainter and 
fainter, and I believe the time is fast approaching when they will 
be entirely hushed within these walls ; when the pampered sons of 
Wealth, unmindful of honest, toiling manhood, will alone occupy 
seats upon this floor. The signs of the times point unerringly to 
this result. The excessive and daily increasing expense of living 
at the national capital, tfie grand displays made here by the mil- 
lionaire, his princely style of living, his magnificent establishments 
and georgeous entertainments, and, above all, the homage that 
wealth everywhere receives, admonishes tiiose of moderate means 
how futile will be their attempts to gain place, position, or power 
here. 

Sir, I make no apology for what I say in behalf of the working- 
men of the country. Sprung myself directly from the loins of toil, 
associated with it from the earliest moment of my life until the 
present time, bound up in it by the endearing tie of a parent who 
at the very summit of life tills the soil that gives him bread, it 
Will not be wondered that I make their cause my own. * * * 

The petitioners are largely composed of the early emigrants to 
California and their children. They were alltired thence l>y your 
promise of the public domain. It is true it was a glittering prize, 
but they must traverse hundreds and thousands of miles ol unset- 
tled, wild, and dangerous country to reach it. ToU otfered them 
no convoy of safety. Your laws afforded them no protection. Yet 
these stout-hearted people, gathering up all they had, with their 
Wives and children, staked everything upon the venture. The way 
was perilous. The arid, inhospitable, and apparently boundless 
plain, strewn with the bleaching bones of their fellows gone before, 
Wild beasts howling upon their track, and hostile savages confront- 
ing them, warned them of danger and death in every form. 
But nothing daunted by the perils of the desert, or beast, 
or savage, they pressed bravely on -to the end. Their destination 
saw them commence life anew. They began again upon the 
bed-rock of human existence. Their means spent or lost, they 
had no resort except the labor of their hands, and to that they 
betook themselves. In their new home your laws barely shadowed, 
they did not protect them. They were compelled to protect them- 
selves. Yet amid all these adverse circumstances they neither 
murmured or complained^ but worked hopefully, cheerfully on, and 
made a home for themselves and their children. They have estab- 
lished and maintained that relation to capital which gives happi- 
ness, contentment and prosperity to all. From anarchy and confu, 
sion they have wrought out a well-ordered and exemplary society 
and poured untold millions of treasure into your cotters. Their 
patience and industry, wisdom and virtue, entitle them to the high- 
est rank of honor ; for they are not only the founders, but also the 
builders of a most magnificent State. And noW> while their voice 
may yet be heard on this floor, they appeal to you for protection. 
This deadly Chinese blight seems to have marked them out for de- 
struction. It is true, they ask it for the frugal meal and humble cot, 
but it is asked in the name of that elevated, dignified and enobled 

■ « 



16 

labor which is the bulwark of American liberty. Will you with- 
hold it ? I charge you, no. * * * =i. * 

Thus, IMr. Speaker, in what has Ijeen heretofore and now said, I 
have attempted to place before the House the incalculable evils of 
Chinese imniigration, to show its alarming extent, its withering 
effects on the morals of society, its degrading and destructive in- 
fluence on American labor, the decided and unequivocal views of 
the people of California condemning it, and the decisions of the 
Courts, showing that the State is unabl^ to protect itself, and that 
in Congress alone lies the power to remedy it. 

l^ut wh>- dwell longer upon a subject so disgusting, so revolting, 
that it must shock the moral sensibilities of every one who has list- 
ened to or will read the evidence submitted to the House to-day ? 
I hope, sir, that it will have the effect to place a dividing line be- 
tween vice and virtue; that it will send the brazen harlot who 
openly flaunts her wickeilness in the faces of our wives and daugh. 
ters back to her native country, and teach the trafficers in human 
beings that in this land of ours, where virtue is respected and hon- 
est toil appreciated, we will no longer submit to their infamous 
practices ; that, while we are willing to put forth a helping hand, 
we insist that a common respect for our Government demands of 
China, if she insists on sending here none but the lowest and most 
depraved of her subjects, that thoy shall obey our laws and have a 
decent respect for our customs and the rules of society. We have 
long enough been her cess-pool. * * ■ * * 

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I leave this question witn the House, be- 
lieving that justice, sometimes slow, l)ut sure, will be done, and 
that the cause of these complaints will be removed, and in its place 
will be heard the grateful acclamations of a long-suffering people ; 
that then, through the Golden Gate and across the (;ontinent will 
come a race of people to settle among us who will plant the vine, 
cultivate the soil, and add something to the substantial wealth of 
the country. And then, from the north, where Mount Shasta rears 
her snowy peaks, to the south, where the orange.tree perpetually 
blooms, from the east, where 'the Sierra Nevadas, clad in their 
prie.'itly robes, stand sentinel to guard our homes, to the west, 
where the amber waters of the Pacific leave her golden sands, a 
half million people with one acclaim will hail the day of their 
deliverance." 

ANTI-CIIINESK EVIDENCli:. 

The evidence submitted with this petition consisted, in part, 
of sworn statements from Kevs. Ira M. Condit, Otis Gibson 
and R. Z. Simmons, all missionaries, each of whom had spent 
years in China, and understood the Chinese language, showing 
the immoral and illegal practices of the Chinese in tliis State. 
Kach gentlenuvn swore to the existence of the " Heip Yee Tong 
Society," and its systematic traftic in women for lewd pur- 
poses. They translated bills-of-sale in which women were the 
chattel, in violation to the free institutions of this country. 
Mr. Page introduced the testimony of K. Korwiu Piotrow^ski, 



17 

Commissioner of Immigration, corroborating the evidence and 
showing that a large majority of the Chinese women brought 
to this country were slaves. Mr. Page maintained that, al- 
though they did come here voluntarily, on'e person could not 
induce another to voluntarily do an milawful act without being 
both within the penalty of the law; therefore, the Chinese 
Government allows its subjects to commit the double crime of 
prostitution and slavery in violation of our laws, and in conflict 
with the existing treaty between this Government and author- 
ities of China. 

FIFTEEN PASSENGER BILL, 

In the last session of the Forty-fifth Congress, the Fifteen 
Passenger Bill was introduced by Congressman Willis, of Ken- 
tucky. Mr. Page gave to it all his energy and ability. He 
was one of three members of the House who were allotted 
time for its discussion on the 29th of January, 1879. His 
speech on that occasion was worthy of -the man and the sub- 
ject. After an introduction in which he disclaimed holding 
harsh or exceptional views on the Chinese question, and ex- 
pressed his sympathy with every measure having as its object 
the welfare of the country and the peace and prosperity ot its 
citizens, he said : 

'« A statement of facts will appropriately precede the discussion of 
the bill under eonsidetation by the House. San Francisco is the 
entrepot of Oriental commerce and immigration. One hundred and 
fifty thousand Chinese have come to California — one-sixth of the 
population of the State. Of this number, all but about four thous- 
and females, are adults ; and the females, with a few honorable 
exceptions, are held in slavery Ijy their own people for the basest 
purposes. Of the six hundred million dollars of taxable property 
in California, only one and a half million dollars is owned by the 
Chinese, upon which they pay less than ten thousand dollars annual 
taxes. A population of one-sixth of that of the State paying less 
than one four-hundredth part of the revenue required to support 
the government ; their annual contribution to the revenue of the 
State being less by twelve thousand dollars than the cost yearly to 
our people of supporting the Chinese criminals in the State. It is 
estimated that the criminal classes, among them rate as seven to 
one, and this fact, when considered in connection with the total 
absence of domestic restraint among the Chinese, and their thor- 
ough un-American ideas of morals and government, suggest 
dangers to society and public virtue and order that demand imme- 
diate attention. With demands restricted to their simple animal 
needs, freed from the cost of domestic life and the burden of gov- 
ernment, they have been placed upon vantage-ground as competi- 
tors with American laborers, and have succeeded in obtaining ex- 
clusive control of certain industries in California. They construct 
the railroads and other works of improvement. They occupy the 
fields of placer mining and agriculture ; fill the places of domestic 



18 

servants ; and have absorbed the work and business of manufactur- 
ing in certain interests. The effect of their presence and influence 
has been to exclude and retard desirable ininiigration from Europe 
and the States east of the Mississippi river ; to produce great dis- 
tress among American laborers ; to inspire a profound irritation 
and discontent among the citizens of all classes ; and to create 
finally among us an alarming apprehension of the still greater 
dangers that threaten to spring from this source." 

Speaking more particularlv of the bill under consideration, 
he said : 

«' We propose to act in good faith with the government and people 
of China, and to recognize scrupulously any right acquired under 
the treaty and exercised according to law. But at the same time, 
moved by a love for our institutions and a sense of justice to the 
people of our own State and the States of the Unioti, we propose to 
initiate effective measures to correct an existing evil of great 
magnitude, and to avert a danger threatening imminent and most 
disastrous results to the Pacific'States immediately, and the wliole 
country ultimately." 

In reply to the objection that the sentiment of the bill waS 
exceptional, and not in accord with the established policy of 
the Government on the subject of imniigration, he showed 
that the restrictions proposed to be placed upon the Chinese 
aliens who have cursed (California by their advent were in ac- 
cordance with the discriminations against them in the natural- 
ization and coolie laws, and recognized in the treaty itself. 
Therefore the measure advocated cn^uld not be opposed to the 
policy of the Government, or in violation of the provisions of 
the existing treaty between the two countries. 

In another part of the speech, he said : 

"I deny that this land is an asylum for that class, who seek our 
shores for the mere purpose of curiosity or trade ; with no appreci- 
ation of our institutions; who refuse to adopt our .ustoms, to con- 
form to our habits ; who are not devoted to the cause of liberty or 
equality ; who come here simply for tiie purpose of temporary profit, 
or are brought here as coolies by companies formed in China under 
contract for servile labor; who refuse to assimilate with us, and 
who are unfitted by education, habits, religious superstition, and hy 
their inborn prejudices to assume any of the duties that society im- 
pose on the citizen. All other countries have shown their appreci- 
ation of our institutions l>y accepting in good faith the generous 
invitation we have extended to their citizens or suljects. Some of 
the best citizens of other countries have come here for the purpose 
of making it their home. We need them and invite them to come 
into our midst. Now, sir, this alien element not only substitutes 
and excludes — to the measure of its volume — the class of American 
and foreign emigration we seek, but by the settled aversion to 
these Jiliens inspired by their servile condition, their filthy habits, 
and their personal debasement generally, and by the cheapness of 
th^ir labor, under the monopolistic agencies that control it, Ameri. 



19 

can population from the East, North and South is deterred frona 
coming among us." 

The concluding paragraph was in the following words : 
<' We advocate the proposed bill, finally, in the interest of the 
workinginen of our own section and of our whole land, becaui-e 
the limitation to the introduction of this dabased element is not 
only necessary to their immediate protection in many localities, but 
the measure involves a principle of law and equality which it may 
be needful to invoke hereafter in behalf of the men upon whose 
honest toil the prosperity and advancement of the country so 
largely depend." 

These random quotations give no idea of the speech. It 
was logical and convincing. Mr. Page had the saristaction of 
seeino; the bill pass both House and Senate, but unfortunately 
the Democratic members could not be prevailed upon, by Mr. 
Page and others, to forego treaty abrogating amendments, 
which caused its veto. 



CHAPTER V. 



THE SETTLERS FRIEND. 



Whenever land questions have been considered b^ Con- 
gress, Mr. Page has stood by the settlers, seeing that they were 
treated with impartial justice. His devotion to, and labors on 
land questions have been second only to his efforts on the Chi- 
nese .question. He has introduced over fifty land bills of gen- 
eral character, not to mention individual bills of relief, diirino- 
his service in Congress. These bills have been for the protec- 
tion of settlers ; for the prevention of trespassing upon pub- 
lic lands; for the guarding of [lublic timber from pluiuler ; 
and to compel railroads to disgorge land granted them by the 
Government, and which they had forfeited by non-fnlfillmeut 
of their promises and agreements. Thousands of settlers have 
had ottcasion to thank Mr. Page for what he has done for them. 
When written to for relief, by some secluded farmer, of wliotn 
he probably never heard, he has not pursued the dignilied 
course often practiced by other representatives, that is, to write 
a note to the proper department and then wait the pleasure of 
the clerk to answer or not as he feels disposed. Mr. Page has 
made it his duty to attend to the case at once, going in person, 
and many a poor man's claim against the Government has been 
obtained without delay, to the great satisfaction and profit of 
the applicant. An instance out of hundreds of similar cases 
will be related to illustrate Mr. Page's promptness in atteiidino- 
to the wants of his constituents, irrespective of their political 
affiliations. An applicant for Government land, livinir near 



20 

Clinton, Amador county, had experienced considerable trouble 
in'getting a patent. There was a difficulty somewhere, and 
years elapsed, and he found himself as far from securing a title, 
apparently, as he was at the outset, lie was a Democrat, and 
voted against Mr. Page at the previous election. At last some 
one suggested the propriety of writing concerning the affair to 
Mr. Page, who was then in AVashingtou. The applicant did 
so. Mr. Page went to work, found the trouble and rectified 
it, and in a very short time the applicant was in possession of 
his patent. The man, ignorant of the indomitable spirit and 
energy of the Congressman from his district, was so astonished at 
the alacrity displayed in the transaction of the business, that he 
became an ardent supporter of Mr. Page. A Democratic news- 
paper, published in Tuolumne county, being forced to admit the 
valuable service rendered the settlers of Tuolumne county by 
Mr. Page, tried to depreciate his labors by saying that he em- 
ployed a secretary to do the work of hunting up the claims 
and evidence. The newspaper thereby, unintentionally, in- 
creased the obligation under which its patrons were placed, by 
showing that the tax upon Mr. Page's time in this particular 
was so great as to compel him to employ assistance, at his own 
expense, to meet the demands made upon him by his constitu- 
ents. A review of the beneticial bill on this land subject, 
which he has introduced, to leave unmeutioned the bills he has 
advocated, would expand this pamphlet to an undesirable size. 
You have only to ask your neighbor, and he will give you au 
instance of Mr. Page's labors in this direction. 

THE miners' friend. 

A practical miner himsell, he understands their wants, and 
having been a member of the committee on " Mines and Min- 
ing '' a greater part of the time since he has been in Congress, 
he has been able to render incalcuable assistance to the thou- 
sands of miners scattered along the hillsides and delving in the 
gulches of California mountains. During his first term in 
Congress, he set liimselt squarely against partial legiilation, 
especiiily a bill in favor of Bonanza kings. His expoaition of 
the iSutro tunnel management is a matter of history. Being a 
resident of one of the richest mining counties in this {State, 
force of circumstances would Jiaturally make him in sympathy 
with the develojiment of the mining interests of the iState, 
were he notj^as he is, in liearty accord with the miners; especi- 
ally those who depend upon ilie work of their own hands to 
develop their mines. JNoticing that contested claims were 
sometimes held in the courts for years, meantime the contest- 
ing party had to continue his annual work on the claim, Mr. 
Page introduced a bill for their relief, which failed of becoming 
a law through no fault of his. 



21 

He introduced a bill several years since, relating to Placer 
mining lands, and obtained a favorable report from the Com- 
mittee on Mines and Mining to whom it had been referred. 
This bill, had it become a law, would have been of incalcul- 
able benefit to the people residing in the mining portion of 
the State. The bill provided that the price of placer mineral 
lands should be reduced from !!?2.50 to $1.25 per acre; that the 
miner and agriculturist could unite and make joint entries 
to the extent ot 160 acres ; that testimony might be taken 
before a county clerk or notary public in the county vi^here 
the land might be situated, thus avoiding a resort to the 
courts, and obviate in most cases the expense of attending at 
the land office with witnesses, which would be a saving of a 
large amount of expense: hundreds, and in some instances 
thousands of dollars. 

He ]jas assisted the prospector, and striven to make his life 
of hardship and privation as remunerative as possible. 

LABORING CLASSES. 

To the laboring men Mr. Page has been a steadfast and 
faithful triend. Springing from their ranks himself, having 
been identified with them and their interests all his life as a 
farmer, lumberman, miner and stage driver, his experience of 
their difficulties and appreciation of their needs has made 
him ever ready to listen to their honest appeals, and he votes 
for every measure to elevate the common laborer. His course 
on the "Eight Hour Bill," last June, should convince any 
laboring man of his sincerity. The bill was to stop evasions 
of the then existing law, which declared eight hours a day's 
work for all laborers, workmen and mechanics employed by 
the Government. It provided that they should be paid a full 
day's wages for eight hours' work, while before they had been 
paid, in certain departments, on the basis of ten hours per 
day. The bill directed all heads of departtnents, officers and 
agents of the Government to enforce this law. In advocacy 
of this bill Mr. .Page said: 

<' I believe that eight hours' labor is sufficient for a day's work. 
Those who get up here and call a demagogue the man who stands 
up for the law, the man who occasionally speaks upon tnis floor 
and says a few words in behalf of men who labor for their support, 
those very inen will sit here for months and listen to discussion in 
favor of the rich and of the favored classes without saying a word 
in opposition. Yet, when a man speaks a word here in favor of 
his own kind, of the laboring classes of the country, he is de- 
nounced as demagogue." 

He has never given the laboring class a pledge which he 
has not fulfilled. It would be impossible to particularize bills 
in which Mr. Page's aim has been to assist them, for his 



22 

whole legislative career has been in their interest. All that he 
has done on the Cliinese question has been in their favor. All 
the laud legislation he has obtained has been in relation to 
them. All appropiations for public improvement he has 
secured have benetited them, not only indirectly but directly 
by giving them employment. All his oj)position to railroads 
and other monopolies have been in defense of the lalioring 
class. All the financial measures which he has advocated 
have been to give them an honest dollar which should buy 
the most possible in the market. All revenue bills for which 
he has voted have been to lessen their taxes. All election 
measures he has favored have been to preverit fraud and 
thereby make the poor man's ballot as it should be, his 
weapon of defense. The laboring class should cast an honest 
vote for their honest champion in Congress. 

OAKLAND HARBOR. 

The two hundred thousand dollar appropriation for the im- 
provement of Oakland harbor which Mr. Page obtained dur- 
ing his first term in Congress, was but to begin this inesti- 
mable improvement, whieli has been carried on ever since 
as rapidly as possible. . Much delay has been occasioned by 
the Central Pacific Railroad, which with characteristic greed 
and monumental cheek laid claim to the bed of the estuary 
and demanded damage if the work was prosecuted. Through 
the efforts of Mr. Page, the Attorney-General of the United 
States has very recently rendered an opinion, in which he 
says : 

"The estuary in question is a navigable estuary, through which 
the tide ebbs and flows, and the training walls of the work are 
below liigh-water uiarlv. Jt is not net-essary, therefore, to consider 
whether or not the soil of the beach between high and low water 
marlv, or the bed ot the estuary, belongs to any private persons." 

And in regard to damage asked by the railroad company 
the opinion goes on to say : 

<' The title to the land which the United States proposes to use 
for the purpose of structure for the improvement of the harbor be- 
low high-water mark is derived from the State. I>ut the State 
itself does not possess any riglit either by virtue of its sovereignty 
or its ownership, which could in any way control the rigiit of the 
United States, conferred by the Constitution, to regulate commerce. 
This right includes the right to regulate navigation, and hence to 
regulate and improve navigable waters ; and this it may do by the 
erection of sueh structures as it deems necessary for the purpose, 
no matter what the effect may be upon the subordinate rights of 
the owners of the soil covered hy such navigable waters. The bed 
of the estuary in question being the bed of a navigable stream or 
sheet of water, to the use of the harbor made by which training- 



23 

walls and other structures are essential, they Hiay be used as ap- 
propriately as culverts, drains or embankments may be for purpose 
of the construction and proper enjoyment of a public road." 

Guided by this opinion, the Secretary of War has instructed 
the Chief Engineer to proceed with the work. The appropri- 
ations which have been held back on account of the railroad's 
claim are declared available. One hundred and forty thou- 
sand dollars are ready witli which to prosecute the improve- 
ments; and nearly a half million dollars has been appropriated 
and will be ready as required. This harbor improvement has 
made possible the ferry which is running in opposition to the 
railroad ferry. 

farmers' friend. 

The farmers of the valley counties are more interested than 
is the City of Oakland in this great improvement, as it will 
save the wheat growers nearly two dollars per ton tribute 
levied by toll gatherers along the wharves of San Francisco. 
The appropriation of twenty-five thousand dollars for the 
improvement of the San Joaquin River obtained by Mr. Page, 
during the session of Congress just closed, was secured against 
the most determined opposition. The appropriation was 
blocked by the neglect of an assistant engineer of the United 
States to report on the condition of the San Joaquin River; 
Mr. Page at last secured the report. No Congressman, 
with less persistency than Mr. Page has, could have gotten the 
appropriation. This improvement is but another effort to give 
the wheat growers, of the San Joaquin Yalley in this case, a 
communication with deep water uncontrolled by the Railroad 
Company. It is not only the firmer who can realize the 
benefit of snch improvements, but its effect must be felt 
throughout the State, U is the farmer, however, who will 
realize the burden lifted from his shoulders when, through 
comp)etition, he escapes toll gatherers who size his pile. 



CHAPTER VI. 



OAKLAND RECEPTION. 



Although, having served one term more than any other 
Representative ever elected from this State, there was but one 
opinion this Fall as to the propriety and necessity of returning 
Mr. Page to Congress for a fifth term; so, while in Washing- 
ton, attending to the business of his constituents, he was writ- 
ten to to know if he would be a candidate again, and replied : 
"If my constituents want ray services again they can nominate 
me, but I will make no effort to secure the nomination." He 



24 

returned to this State nearly a month after the convention met 
which nominated him as their standard bearer for the fifth 
time, and was everywhere met with the most cordial greetings 
and hearty approval. His reception in Oakland was conspicu- 
ously unreserved. The citizens outdid themselves in showing 
honor to their Congressman. Broadway was lined with people 
at an early hour, patiently waiting for his arrival. The pro- 
cession escorting the welcomed guest was the largest ever 
congregated on such an occasion in Oakland. Political lines 
seemed to be forgotten in a spontaneous desire to give Mr. 
Page a reception worthy of his deeds in Congress. The streets 
and windows were crowded when the procession arrived. 
Bonfires were lighted along the line of march ; private resi- 
dences were illuminated, and a continuous discharge of fire- 
works kept up. Colored lights threw their weird glare upou 
the long. line of torch-lights win<iing through the streets. A 
magnificent barouche, containing Mr. Page and the reception 
committee, drawn by six white horses, was the centre of 
attraction. Parties who had stationed themselves on the line 
of march to serenade him with songs of welcome found their 
voices drowned by the rapidly succeeding bands. Bouquets 
after bouquets were handed him, until the carriage had the 
appearance of a hot-bed of fragrant and beautiful flowers. At 
the hall, where the exercises were held, the audience that got 
inside of the building was but a small part of the crowd con- 
gregated in the street vociferously cheering at his arrival. 

ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 

Hon. L. E. Pratt was chosen to deliver the address of wel- 
come ; and he performed his pleasing task in a most eloquent 
and fitting manner, as the follov^ing report will show : 

In appearing here to-night, upon an occasion that has called so 
many present, I feel greatly liouored at having been chosen to in- 
troduce to you the distinguished guest of the hour. And in view 
of this I have not chosen to rely only upon the thoughts of the mo- 
ment, and you will therefore, kindly pardon me for layiiisr before 
you the results of the brief time for reflection I have had since be- 
ing invited to address you at this time. 

In all the moral and political universe, there can be but one 
grander spectacle than that of a mighty people making or unmak- 
ing rulers through the silent but potential influence of the ballot. 
That grander spectacle presents itself when the same people, who 
have thus exalted a fellow-citizen above themselves, assemble, of 
their own volition, to pay their gratitude, their affection and re. 
spect, to the man who has proved himself to be a faithful, diligent 
a»id efficient servitor. 

Patriotism is the most unselfish of all virtues. It substitutes 
one's country for one's self, and makes the keenest sacrifice the 
most exquisite pleasure. 



25 

Gratitude is a most ennobling quality, and nearer kindred to 
divinity than any other attribute of the human heart. Where pa- 
triotism has been found then gratitude should bestow itself. 

You are here to-night in obedience to these lofty impulses, im- 
pulses that are divine because they are livmian, and human because 
they are divine. You are here to give your cordial welcome to the 
man who though all his public and political career, has proved so 
well his fidelity to the trust which your partiality and your wisdom 
alike, eight years ago, confided to his care. 

You are here to rebuke the current adage that Republics are 
are proverbially ungrateful. You are here to inspire the head, 
to hold up the hands and to strengthen the arms, of one who has 
come back from the halls of national legislation with an unsullied 
record, every page of which he cheerfully unfolds to the keenest 
scrutiny of his bitterest foe. 

4\iYou are here to bear", to him your welcome testimony, that the 
shafts of calumny and detraction which have been aimed at him, 
have fallen harmless on the impenetrable shield of personal honor 
and integrity. 

You are to rebuke that foul spirit, too common now, which, 
incited by personal animosity and partizan zeal, without discrimi- 
nation, hurls its anathemas alike at the most deserving and the 
most corrupt. And when we add that this grateful and spontane- 
ous demonstration v.ill not only inspire your honored guest with 
loftier zeal, but will incite a noble emulation in other aspirants for 
public favor, and thus advance the standard of political morals, to 
what nobler truth, to what more commendable duty could you ad- 
dress yourself. And if it be true, as it has been so often charged, 
that we are in the midst of an era of general vice and corruption — 
if it be true that the whole body politic is eaten and gangrened with 
moral leprosy — if official position is often prostituted to the basest 
purposes, and public duties are violated with shameless effrontery; 
if honesty in puldic life has almost ceased to be regarded as a 
virtue ; if public servants are bought and sold and public revenues 
squandered and misappropriated without rebuke ; if betrayals of 
trust have become so common that the people no longer cry out 
against tliem, and thus give license and encouragement to fraud 
and treacljery and corruption in high places ; if the moral sense of 
the community itself has fallen so low that it no longer punishes, or 
resents, or rebukes moral wrong and outrage, how much more 
should we when we find a man who has been faithful among the 
faithless, who has resisted not only the license but the encourage- 
ment to do wrong and kept steadily in the path of rectitude, tes- 
tify our high apprec iation of his sterling character and worth. 

He tiiat gives is more blessed than he that receives ; and you do 
but honor yourself in doing honor to your guest; you but establish 
your own integrity when you pay homage to that quality in 
another. 

The gentleman whom you have been assembled to greet and 
welcome belongs to a class that no land but America could pro- 
duce, lie owes his promotion and advancement to no such adven- 
titious circumstances as birth, fortune or hereditary position. Toil 



26 

— toil of the hand, or the brain, or the head, is the only, true 
manhood — the only true nobility. Blessed by nature with a Rood, 
well-balanced brain, inspired by manly purposes and endowed with 
the courage to dare and to do, by his own unaided efforts, by the 
toil of the brain, until whatever may have been his status in earlier 
years, he is to-day entitled to the rank of a worthy law-giver and 
legislator ; and genuine statesmanship, if not already achieved now, 
waits impatiently to crown his labors. If there were no public in- 
terests to be subserved, the approval of such a character and the 
endorsement of such a career would afford abundant reasons for the 
enthusiasm of the hour. But there are still other ana sufficient 
considerations for your presence here to-night. The nation — for 
we persist in calling it a nation, in spite of tiie venemous protests 
of the Democracy — the nation stands on perilous ground again. 

From the surrender at Appomatox to the present hour, slowly 
but steadily the clouds have impressed on the political horizon, and 
up from the sultry South there comes, to-day, the low mutterings 
of a distant storm. 

During eight of the years through which this approaching storm 
has been gathering, your representative has been faithful to lus 
trust, and has trutlifully represented the loyal sentiment of his 
constituents in every emergency which has arisen. 

This is no time, my fellow-citizens, in which to substitute 
another in his stead. You will be ungrateful and unjust to him, 
blind to your own interests, and false to the interests of patriotism, 
if you do not put forth every effort to send him back with a ringing 
endorsement ; such an endorsement as shall place the loyalty of 
California beyond all question ; such an endorsement as sliall teach 
his enemies that we of the Republican party are ever faithful to 
those who have been faithful unto us. 

And now, oh, worthy Representative and honored guest (turning 
to Mr. Page and leading him by the hand to tlie front of the stage, 
in full view of tlie audience), on behalf of your constituency, and 
especially on behalf of the citizens of Alameda County, who owe 
to you so much, I present to you this address of welcome, hoping 
it will prove a welcome address to you ; and, with it, I tender to 
you the enduring gratitude and profound respect of all who are 
here assembled. 

And to you, oh, fell()W-citi;:ens, I now return my grateful thanks 
tor the pleasure and privilege I enjoy of presenting to you the man 
whom you already know so well, the Hon. Horace F. Page. 

Th«; speech made by Mr. Pratt was frequently interrupted 
by applause, and as Mr. Page came forward the manifestations 
of approval were warm and liearty indeed. 



2T 
CHAPTER VII. 

OUR POLITICAL CONDITION. 

There is a comic picture which most aptly depicts the 
pohtical status in this State. The picture represents the effort 
of two boys to possess themselves of a ripe apple which hang-s 
temptingly above their heads. They bring a ladder to their 
assistance which is too short to reach the lower lim.b of the 
tree, yet long enough to nearly reach the overhanging fruit. 
One boy is pictured holding the ladder, while the other ascends 
and is almost grasping the coveted boon. A second, or com- 
panion picture" gives the sequel : The boy holding the ladder 
loses strength or courage and lets his companion fall. The 
prize for which Californians are struggling is relief on the 
Chinese question : We have our Congressmen on the ladder; 
their tingers have almost touched the fruit — we once thought 
they even had it within their grasp, but a passing Democratic 
breeze swayed the branch and swung it out of reach. We need 
the courage and good sense to hold our Kepresentatives up, 
patiently and resolutely, but a little longer and the apple is 
ours, the struggle worn The picture of the falling boy was 
painted as a warning, not as an example. 

THE DANGER. 

The future of this State seems to be hinging upon the com- 
ing election. California is claimed by both political parties. 
The Democrats are confident, therefore more dangerous than 
ever before. It is no half-hearted fight they are making this 
year. The possibihty of success is nerving them to desperate 
efiorts, and makes them vastly more dangerous than ever be- 
fore. Should they obtain the control of this country, besides 
an unfathomable maw, which must be filled after their long 
fast, there is danger of losing all the benefits of our efforts on 
the Chinese question. The Democrats defeated tlie fifteen- 
passenger bill by the addition of senseless amendments'which 
they were warned, and well knew, would make its veto by the 
President imperative, and they expected thereby to gain polit- 
ical capital. If faithful Congressmen are not returned from 
this State, especially one who has been so zealous and conspic- 
uous in advocating Chinese restrictions as Mr. Page, how can 
his fellow -Congressmen from the East construe such, an 
unprecedented turn otherwise than as a reprimanci for 
his activity in this matter ? Would they not, with cause, 
charge us with half-heartedness and demagogism ? When 
a champion .is deserted, it must be through folly or ig- 
norance, and the East will excuse neither. It is due a re- 
former that he be allowed to enjoy the pleasure and receive 



28 

the honor from years of incessant toil. While Mr. Page's 
actions have always been such as to allow no one to suspect, 
that he ever hoped for personal aggrandizement there- 
from, it is the duty of a not ungrateful people to see that 
tribute is rendered where tribute is due. 

If the farmers would make certain that the public improve- 
ments, which have been cited, go on to completion, they 
should return Mr. Pyge to Congress. New Congressmen, es- 
pecially of an opposing political faith, are jealous of the deeds 
of their predecessors and given to underrating their import- 
ance. They dislike to carry out measures introduced before 
their time, and especially by a rival candidate for the same 
office. 

Settlers, miners, and all laboring men should remember that 
in Mr. Page they have a tried and incorruptible man whom 
taey have never found wanting, and about whom there is no 
uncertainty. 

His career in Congress demonstrates beyond cavil that he is 
an unpartizan Eepreseutative. The politics of a constituent 
is unconsidered by him when appealed to for assistance, and 
in the discussion of bills, their political signifiance is entirely 
secondary to their intrinsic merit. He is not a lawyer who 
quibbles over technicalities, but takes a -practical, comprehen- 
sive view of a measure. He is a representative man from his 
district. A man of deeds rather than words. He devotes his 
time while in Washington to conscientious work, and is not 
considered one of the societ}'' members who are found at every 
levee and reception ; some of whom pride themselves on a 
flashy dress or odd costume which newspapers, having nothing 
better to publish, chronicle every change of necktie made by 
by some dashing Congressman. 

Mr. Page has had more experience in Congress than any 
other Representative ever elected from this State, and is sadly 
needed at this particular time, more than ever before, to 
check a Democratic opposition which has lately become the 
majorily in the House and threatens to undo the work of years, 
to transpose a. d. 1880 into a. d. 18G0, and compel the Repub- 
lican party to tight again the bloody battles of the last 
two decades. Mr. l*age has invariably treated the Democratic 
members with inflexible justice and courtesy; his sincerity 
has gained their respect, so that he is not without influence 
even among his political enemies. This predominating party 
in Congress should not be increased b}' a single vote, as their 
arrogance is onl}^ gauged by their strength. The Second Dis- 
trict should see to it, that this nation cannot say : It was you 
who brought this evil upon us. Every Republican, from the 
St. Lawrence to the Golden Gate, and from the Great Lakes to 
the Gulf, is interested in how you of the Second District acquit 



29 

yourselves. They are watching you with anxious eyes. Not 
only the living, but the dead generations who, at its birth, 
baptized this nation with their blood, and that later generation 
who laid dowu their lives in its preservation, and who be- 
queathed it to you intact, are looking down upon you from 
spiritual heights; therefore, so vote that you can afterwards 
face this cloud of witnesses. 



30 



APPENDIX. 



SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 

Election o/ 1872, for Members of the 43c? Congress. 

HORACE F. PAGE, PASCHAL COGGINS, 

„ . liepublican. Domocrat and IndopendeDt. 

Counties Vote Majority Vote Majority Total. 

Alameda 2625 1431 1194 3819 

Alpine , 57 73 16 130 

Amador 756 1015 259 1771 

Calaveras 787 899 112 1686 

Contra CY).sta 947 473 474 1421 

El Dorado 1103 1375 272 2478 

Nevada 1593 1898 305 3491 

Placer 1071 .* 1179 108 2250 

Sacramento 2422 2484 62 4906 

San Joaquin 1721 327 1394 3115 

Tuolumne 721 834 113 1555 

Total 13803 2231 12819 1247 26622 

Page's majority 984 

Election of 1875, for Members of the 44th Congress. . 

HORACE F. PAGE, HENRY LARKIN, CHAS. A. TUTTLE. 
Koiiublican. Democrat. Independent. 

Counties Vote Vote Vote Tota^ 

Alameda 2895 1870 660 5425 

Alpine 64 72 78 214 

Amador 868 1054 262 2184 

Calaveras 773 832 244 1849 

Contra Costa 890 668 315 1873 

El Dorado 937 1231 371 ^ 2539 

Nevada 12J3 1581 880 • 3734 

Placer 1187 593 768 2548 

Sacramento 1990 1966 1598 5554 

San Joaquin 2009 1431 252 3692 

Tuolumne 738 856 101 1755 

Total 13624 12154 5529 31367 

Pige's majority over Larkin, 1470; over Tuttle, 8095. 
Larkin'a majority over Tuttle, 6525. 



SI 



Election of 1876, for Members of the ioth Congress. 





HORACE F. PA(iE, 


G. J. CARPENTER, 






Republican. 


Domoerat. 




Counties. 


Vote. Majority. 


Vote. Majority. 


Total 


Alameda 


. 5005 1747 


3258 


8263 


Alpine,. ..... 


. 110 45 
. 1191 


65 
1292 101 


175 


Amador 


2483 


Calaveras 


. 916 13 


903 


1815 


Contra Costa.. 


. 1188 354 


834 


2022 


El Dorado . . . . 


. 1357 


1362 5 


2719 


Nevada 


,. 2318 432 


1886 


4204 


Placer 


. 1668 448 


1220 


2888 


Sacramento.... 


. 3873 1424 


2449 


6322 


San Joaquin.. 


. 2310 504 


1806 ...... 


4116 


Tuolumne 


.. 879 38 


841 


1720 



Totel 20815 5005 16916 106 

Page's Majority 4899. 

Election of 1879, for Members of the AQth Congress. 

HORACE F. PAGE. 
E-ejjublican. ^ 

Counties. Vote. 

Alameda 5351 

Alpine 118 

Amador 1108 

Calaveras 1019 

Contra Costa 937 

El Dorado 1157 

Nevada 1603 

Placer 1185 

Sacramento 3579 

San .Joaquin 2486 

Tuolumne.... 783 



36731 



J. CLUNIE. 


H. P. WILLIAMS 


ii 


Democrat. 


Workiugman. 




Vote. 


Vote. 


Total. 


2961 


772 


9084 


43 


4 


165 


1160 


128 


2396 


754 


266 


2039 


841 


269 


2047 


1058 


339 


2554 


963 


1339 


3965 


919 


693 


2797 


1516 


1106 


6201 


1909 ■ 


20 


4415 


723 


203 


1709 



Total 19386 12847 5139 37372 

Page's majority over Clunie, 6539 ; over Williams, 14,247. 
Clunie's majority over Williams, 7708. 
Mr. Page s majority has largely increased at each election : 
1872, majority, 984 

1875, «< 1470 

1876, » 4899 
1879, " 0539 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTEK I. 

Early Lif-^ — Nominated for Cong7-ess — How he Keeps Pledges — Elected. 

CHAPTER II. 

First Term in Congress — Three Millions Saved — Rtiilroad Antagonism — Settlers 

on Railroad Lands — First Anti-Chinese Resolution — Re-elected. 

CHAPTER III. 

Union Speech — Union Soldiers — Protection of Piihlic Land — Indians — In 

Defense of California. 

CHAPTER IV. 
Anti-Chinese Record— Anti-Chinese Speech — Anti-Chinese Evidence— Fifteen- 
Passenger Bill. 

CHAPTER V. 
The Settlers' Friend — The Miners' Friend — Laboring Classes—Oakland Har- 
bor — Farmers' Friend. 

CHAPTER VI. 
Oakland Reception — Address of Welconje. 

CHAPTER VII. 
Our Political Condition— The Danger. 

APPENDIX. 



"^^ 

""X 



L 



